Investigating the Effect of Collaborative Care Model on the Intensity of Fear of Falling, the Frequency of Falls of the Elderly

To determine the effect of applying collaborative care model on the intensity of fear of falling, the frequency of falls of the elderly.

This is a clinical trial study with a sample of 72 elderly people averagely aged at 71.34 ± 7.47 who went to the comprehensive health service centers of Isfahan in 1398, and were selected through easy sampling. Sample units were randomly divided into two test groups and participated in a collaborative care program for 12 weeks. Moreover, the control group attended two sixty-minute training sessions. The data were collected through the completion of questionnaires by the sample units in three phases, namely before, immediately, and after three months. The entry criteria included: the age of 60 and above, no psychological problems, non-participation in previous studies, having experienced fall. On the other hand, exit criteria included decreased consciousness after entering the study, unwillingness to continue, and death. SPSS software 21 was applied to carry out data analysis through χ2 test, Mann–Whitney test, independent t test, and ANOVA with repeated observations.

The results showed that in the test group, the average scores of fear of falling, were significantly different between the three times (P <0.05). The results of LSD post hoc test showed that in the test group, the mean score of fear of falling immediately after entering was significantly less than that of before entering. Furthermore, it showed that three months after entering, the mean score of fear of falling was less than that of immediately after the intervention (P <0.001).

According to the results, the implementation of collaborative care model reduced fear of falling, prevented falls, of the elderly. Therefore, it is recommended to apply this model in order to educate patients and their families.